APM6803+T

The APM6803+T is a multichannel audio processing module for managing loudness and surround sound audio streams.

Featuring DTS Neural Surround™ UpMix, DownMix and MultiMerge and DTS Neural Loudness Control, the APM6803+ delivers unparalleled audio processing capabilities; with loudness management processing that delivers a natural, open quality not found in traditional multiband compression technology. Flexible user-defined workflows and intelligent metadata handling ensure that the right processing is applied at the right time, allowing broadcasters to meet regulations while preserving the artistic integrity of the content.

The APM6803+T is an audio processing system on a card and can be configured to support a wide variety of multichannel applications. Dual Dolby® encoders and decoders can be enabled, allowing the APM6803+T to interface to virtually any type of signal. The APM6803+T also boast a feature-rich audio/video frame synchronizer with mono channel routing for embedding and de-embedding. With eight discrete AES inputs and eight discrete AES outputs, the APM6803+T enables any combination of AES and embedded SDI audio input and output to be easily achieved.

Imagine products for real time loudness control using DTS Neural Loudness Control technology provides signal handling for all worldwide recommendations for loudness measurement.

Audio Processing System (APS)
At the core of the APM6803+ lies a powerful and flexible signal processing engine which consists of two high end Digital Signal Processers (DSP) as well as custom built hardware to process multiple channels of audio. Functions are added purely through software keys with no plug-ins required, making the system easy to expand and future proof against increasing requirements. The diagram above shows all of the possible processing blocks. Availability of each block will depend on processor utilization. The chart below lists the requirements for each function. The numbers reflect the utilization for a single DSP. There are two DSPs on the APM6803+.

Function

DSP Utilization Credit

Dolby Digital Decoder

15

Dolby Digital Decoder with DownMix

22

Dolby Digital Encoder

44

Dolby Digital Encoder + LC 5.1

55

Dolby E Decoder

34

Dolby E Encoder

45

Dolby E Encoder + LC 5.1

66

Dolby E Encoder + LC 5.1+2.0

77

Dolby E Encoder + LC 4x2.0

88

Dolby E / Digital Decoder

34

UpMix (low latency)

38

UpMix (high latency)

38

DownMix

13

MultiMerge (low latency)

50

MultiMerge (high latency)

50

Loudness Control 5.1

25

Loudness Control 2.0 (2x1.0)

14

Loudness Control 5.1 + 2.0

34

Loudness Control 4x2.0

44

Virtual Stream Interface
A virtual stream interface greatly simplifies configuration, hiding the complexity of the underlying system and making it possible to create a high-level, processing-intensive signal flow with just a few mouse clicks. Managing audio at the “stream” level, rather than having to manage individual channels, makes configuration easier, quicker and less error-prone. Virtual streams unleash the full processing power of the APM6803+ without bogging down the user with complicated routing and configuration menus.

Flexible, Dynamic Licensing
The Audio Processing System is highly configurable and can support a wide range of Dolby* and DTS processing blocks. Software key licenses are required to enable individual Dolby* encoders and decoders. For DTS functions, a flexible token system has been designed to allow users to change the type of processing without purchasing additional licenses. All licenses are field upgradeable, enabling users to start with a minimal setup and grow the system as requirements dictate.

Function

DTS Credits Required

UpMix

3

DownMix

3

MultiMerge

4

Loudness Control (5.1)

3

Loudness Control 2.0 (2x1.0)

1

Loudness Control (5.1+2.0)

4

Loudness Control (4x2.0)

4

Intelligent Metadata Handler
One of the key topics in modern broadcast audio management is loudness. Broadcasters spend significant effort to correct the loudness of program material at ingest so that they can provide a consistent audio level to their listeners, while maintaining the full dynamic range of the signal. Metadata is often used to assist in this effort, but in practice, situations inevitably arise that require intervention, such as incorrect/ missing Dialnorm, live content or content that has not yet processed and set to the correct loudness. The APM6803+ easily supports agile, fixed and hybrid workflows, and goes one step further to include features that provide automatic assistance for handling unknown or incorrectly processed audio. The APM6803+ protects the output against incorrect loudness levels whilst maintaining the full dynamic range of the original content wherever possible.

Automation Control
Predefined loudness control settings are available for instant recall by automation, allowing users to create simple, effective automation profiles. Additional user-defined presets are available for maximum flexibility. The APM6803+ has a large number of GPI ports available for automation control.

Real Time Loudness Control
DTS Neural Loudness Control incorporates complex real-time loudness correction system which uses critical band based measurement for the most accurate modeling of human loudness perception. By detecting spectral and density differences, inter-channel relationships and temporal overlaps within the audio signal, NLC provides transparent loudness correction which exceeds ITU-R BS.1770 requirements.

Automatic Audio/Video Alignment
As you build your audio system, the APM6803+ keeps track of the audio delay through the audio processing system, and will add the corresponding delay in the video path to ensure lipsync is preserved. Lipsync errors outside the APM6803+ can easily be corrected by manually adjusting either video or audio delays.